The Challenges of Civic Education Presentation to “Congress in the Classroom” 2001 The Dirksen Congressional Center Bradley University August 8, 2001

Is there anything to worry about? Contemporary concern for “civics” – Lack of engagement (“Bowling Alone”) Lack of engagement“Bowling Alone” – Lack of knowledge Lack of knowledge – Lack of skills, attentivenessskillsattentiveness – Lack of commitment Lack of commitment – Lack of appreciation for the political process Lack of appreciation In global perspective…global perspective…

Education’s Three Core Issues Curriculum Content Pedagogy

Curriculum Usually defined as an education “plan” encompassing intended outcomes and related strategies for achieving those goals. Beyond a plan, it serves as – A policy statement of goals and commitments – A political statement reflecting those choices of goals and commitments – A social statement about the role of education in society – A philosophy of education. Example: UK National CurriculumUK National Curriculum

Content What should be taught? Important as – Guide for course/materials development – Standards for assessing performance Example: National Science Education Standards

Pedagogy How should students be taught? Focus on teaching – Instructor-centered – Student-centered – Content-centered Focus on learning – Theories and strategies Theories and strategies

Controversies Within each there is debate over fundamentals – Curriculum: Canonists vs. multiculturalists – Content: Objectivists vs. constructivists – Pedagogy: Teaching vs. learning Among the three, central issue = which is to drive the education process?

Civic Education’s Curriculum Issues Curriculum stresses: Focus on: Justifying civic commitment Tools & skills for engagement Community’s needs PatrioticDeliberative Autonomy of individual citizen MoralisticCritical

Patriotism & Moral Education in the Classroom Legislated patriotism – Virginia and the Pledge Virginia and the Pledge – Minnesota and Maryland proposals MinnesotaMaryland proposals – New Hampshire and Civics New Hampshire and Civics Moral education – Utah’s Character Education project (Stories) Utah’s Character Education projectStories – Association for Moral Education (Dilemmas) Association for Moral EducationDilemmas – Character Counts Character Counts

Deliberative & Critical Approaches Deliberative Democracy – National Issues Forums National Issues Forums – Study Circles Study Circles – Co-Intelligence Co-Intelligence – Teaching Democracy Teaching Democracy – Dialogue to Action Initiative Dialogue to Action Initiative Critical Thinking – Critical Thinking Community (Resources) Critical Thinking CommunityResources – Mission Critical Mission Critical

Civic Education’s Content Issues Knowledge – National Standards for Civics and Government National Standards for Civics and Government – National Assessment of Educational Progress 1998 Civics Report Card – Major findings1998 Civics Report CardMajor findings Skills – Service learning Service learning – Corporation for National Service Corporation for National Service – Center for Democracy and Citizenship Center for Democracy and Citizenship Orientation : Trust for Representative Democracy

Civic Education’s Pedagogy Issues Are our students “teachable”? – Diverse learning styles – Multiple intelligences – Stages of development – Educating “nomads” Are our teachings “learnable”? – Relevance of national focus Localism Globalism – No heros, no theories – Age of cynicism, skepticism, indifference